You Made A LAMP Out Of WHAT??? Check Out These INVENTIVE Ideas! Be Inspired To Design Your Own!

I have a thing for light! 

I am a huge fan of it!!  The brighter it can be...the better! 

It's HUGELY attractive to me! 

So, I was in awe of some of the ways people have been creative and invented their own "LAMP" creations!  Check out some of these awesome ideas I found on PINTEREST:

Source: poppytalk.blogspot.com via Lisa on Pinterest

How about a Mason Jar Lamp?  LOVE IT!  We all have a few of these laying around our house, right?

Source: Uploaded by user via Courtney on Pinterest

What about lamps out of tuna cans and little tea light candles?  I LOVE THIS!!  Of course, you cover the cans with some decorative fabric or paper...but you would never know what they were...unless you put them together!

Source: google.co.uk via Courtney on Pinterest

How about a TOP HAT style lamp (this would be adorable for a boy themed room)!

Source: littlemissredhead.wordpress.com via Courtney on Pinterest

OK...I think this is an adorable "LIGHT" for Halloween.  We all go through tons of Milk Gallons every month, right?  Make a few ghosts to line your driveway with!  SO CUTE!

Source: google.com via Courtney on Pinterest

How about lamps (for under the cupboard in a kitchen) out of tea cups or coffee mugs? I LOVE THIS one too!

Source: poppytalk.blogspot.com via Courtney on Pinterest

Last one...how about making a lamp for your kitchen out of a wire basket? LOVE THIS LOOK! The basket can be as simple or fancy as you want. You can spray paint in whatever color you want too!

These are just a few ideas I found on Pinterest! What's the most creative or INTERESTING LAMP you've ever seen? Would you put any of these (that I've mentioned above) in your home??

I was not paid to feature this post! I was not compensated in any way by posting about these creative ideas!

3 Day Only #GIVEAWAY - PIRATE'S BOOTY Is A Must Have At Your SUPERBOWL Party!

Have you ever tried "PIRATE'S BOOTY"?

This delicious, melt in your mouth snack is not only a favorite of my kids (they can't get enough of it)...but the adults in this house love it too!  In fact, having a bowl of Pirate's Booty at your SUPERBOWL party on the 5th, might make you the "FAN FAVORITE" house because of your snack selections!

Score points with the home team this Big Game day by serving a family favorite – Pirate’s Booty!  This year, intercept regular chips with a healthier alternative like Pirate’s Booty, which has half the fat and less calories (130 calories for a one ounce serving) than greasy fried potato chips. 

Pirate’s Booty is a deliciously baked, all-natural snack made from puffed rice and corn.  Pirate’s Booty is also trans-fat and gluten free and…fun!  Pirate’s Booty comes in a great variety of flavors like Aged White Cheddar. 

Enter to win one case (12 four-ounce bags) of Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar for your Big Game Day party! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was not paid to feature this post! I was compensated only by the product sent for review/feature!

I'll Be "SHAVING" Far Less This Year...Thanks To Remington's New iLight Pro Technology!

SHAVING...it's my enemy!  I remember when I got to shave for the first time (much to my humiliation), I took a huge chunk of skin off the shin of my leg...and thought to myself, "OUCH...was it really worth all the anticipation and excitement after all?"  Little did I know that shaving was something that would become a daily thing...and one that I really don't enjoy doing all that much!

I know I'm not alone!  How do I know that?  Because companies are making products to eliminate the need for daily shaving.  Without the demand...these products wouldn't be HUGE on the market like they are!

I was so excited when "The Balancing Act" sent me the new Remington iLight Pro Hair Removal System to review (sent free of charge for this review/feature).  Why was I SOOOO excited?  Well, after the first initial removal (with the possible need for a couple follow up revisits), the need to shave or hair remove could be spaced out in (UP TO) 6 month increments.  AWESOME!  So much more appealing to me than shaving daily or even weekly (if you NAIR or use that type of hair removal product).

So, because I was new to this system...the DVD came in very handy...to get me started on the road to "AT HOME" hair removal.

I decided that my armpits were a good starting point.  Being blessed with naturally dark hair...my armpits are definitely a DAILY shaving area.  Even hours after shaving...it can appear that I didn't shave that day!  I figured that if I could take care of that would be an excellent JUMPING OFF point. 

So, last night I shaved my armpits and made sure they were good and dry.  Then I plugged in the iLight Pro and got started in the process of hair removal.  I'm not going to lie...it gives a good zap (even on the lowest setting)...but in the long term of things, I would rather a little pain then the daily annoyance of shaving.  It didn't HURT...but again, it was on the lowest setting and it was my first time using it too!

Listen to my VLOG about my experience:

Curious how much this system costs?  It's under $250 and if you went into a salon to have treatments, it would cost far more.  Plus, you can do it from the comfort of your own bathroom or wherever you are comfortable doing it.  You could probably even do it in front of the TV at night!

Don't worry...I will be doing a follow up to this review...in a few weeks, to let you know the results of the whole system!  Will it be worth your investment??  I have a good feeling about it, but we'll see.

While you wait...CLICK HERE to check out more information about this Remington iLight Pro Hair Removal System.

I was not paid to feature this post!  I was compensated only by the product sent for review/feature!  This feature will also be included on "The Balancing Act" website!

Want To See Me On TV?? My Better Connecticut TV Segment...CHECK IT OUT!

This morning, as you know, I headed to Rocky Hill, CT to tape a segment for the

Better Connecticut Show! 

I got my table/display all set up, to talk about all the products I brought with me...

and then I settled into a seat in the audience to wait for my segment taping time!

HERE's my segment:

Of course, I had to take a picture with Olessa Stepanova, before I headed out!  

I had a great time and look forward to other opportunities in 2012 to talk about awesome products and get exposure on local and national television shows! 

Betty Crocker XO Laptop "Win And Give" Campaign - ENTER TO #WIN One Right HERE!

Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snacks wants to make it easy for kids to give back locally and globally.  That's why their WIN One & Give One Program is such a hit!  This always makes my heart happy too!  Hearing about companies with lots of influence, using it to make BIG CHANGES for people who really need it!

Isn't that awesome?  I love hearing stories about children learning to reach out...not only in their own communities, but across the world!  They can make a bigger impact that some adults can, because they will take the steps & leaps of faith that we (as doubting adults) are terrified to make ourselves.  Their unselfish giving & love makes a difference in people's lives and you can be a part of it too.

My kids always get excited when they see commercials about this program!  My oldest son always comments that he wants to "Win One, so he can Give One" too! 

The “Win & Give” campaign provides an easy way for kids to give back. Kids in the U.S. have an opportunity to instantly win a laptop from specially-marked packages of Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snacks. For each laptop won, Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snacks will donate a laptop to a child in Africa. It’s that simple. 

We actually gave one away last year and I am so excited we get to partner together in this awesome program (for a second year) to offer (1) Lucky winner their chance to WIN ONE & GIVE ONE too!

(1) Lucky Winner will get to help spread the word about this program through their own WIN! These laptops are built with rugged plastic exteriors, 1 GB of memory and 4 GB of Flash storage. They have wireless broadband and are designed to be extremely power efficient. In fact, the computer your reader wins is the exact same model that will be sent to children in Africa.  Plus, they will also a win a variety of Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks too!

ENTER BELOW to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was not paid to feature this post!  I was not compensated in any way by posting this giveaway!

WANT TO LEARN ABOUT SOME AWESOME PRODUCTS? Watch Me On @BetterCT Today!

That's right!  This morning, I will be heading out, after I get the two older kids on the bus...to drive to Rocky Hill, CT to tape my segment today for the "Better Connecticut" Show!

 

If you're local...it's on today at 3:00 on channel 3 and I'd love to know I have your support!!

Plus...I am going to telling everyone about some fun, easy, time cutting, and healthier (stress relieving) "for your family" products!  Products that could help you make lower calorie meals, find your keys when they are missing, keep your hands warm when you're using your cellphone, keep track of how many calories you burn daily (and how much more you need to burn), etc.  You're not going to want to miss it!  TRUST ME!

I am hoping that I will be able to share my clip with everyone...

so stay tuned!

WHAT AN EXCITING SURPRISE!! Thanks @TheStep2Company For Our Sweet Treat!

Tonight, I heard a thud by the front door...and sure enough, when I looked out...there was a package!  Not sure about the contents inside...but seeing that the box was from 1-800-Flowers! 

Hmmm...what was inside that box?  A GIANT FORTUNE COOKIE!  And boy did my kids freak out!  For me...the question was..."who's this from?"

So, of course, we had to open the fortune cookie to see what the fortune inside said:

HOLY COW!  I was chosen to be a part of an exclusive blogging program for 2012 for STEP 2 Company!  I AM BEYOND EXCITED!  Not only does STEP 2 make toys that my kids love playing with...but they are durable enough to stand up to my kids ROUGH AND TOUGH play too!  Words cannot describe my delight!   

I am beyond delighted...and the kids are pretty gosh darn excited too (once I explained to them what it was all about).  And...of course...the FORTUNE COOKIE was a huge hit too!

THANK YOU Step2! 

I can't wait to dive into anything and everything you have planned for us in 2012!

I was not paid to feature this post!  I was compensated only by the product sent to announce my involvement in their program for 2012!